My brother in law gives his 7year old son 1mg of melatonin at night.
Since he started giving him melatonin he has noticed positive results, better behavior, better grades in school. He seems to a better adjusted child. Prior to taking melatonin he had trouble sleeping and was always tired. He was also diagnosed with ADHD.
2007-01-05 14:32:46 · 8 answers · asked by sadie 1 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Stina makes a good point. Continuous use of melatonin may suppress the body's own natural production of the hormone, especially since it is being given to such a young child. As a result, over time the child may require more and more of the supplement because his body is producing less and less.
There is not much known about the long-term effects of melatonin in children. It's use is primarily in older adults and people dealing with shiftwork or jet lag.
I'm happy for your brother-in-law that it seems to be helping, but at the very least, he needs to cycle the kid's use of the supplement in order to keep the body producing as much as possible. That means one of the following routines:
- 6 days on melatonin...1 day off....or...
- 3 weeks on melatonin...1 week off...or...
- 5 months on melatonin...1 month off
He might also want to look at the kid's overall diet. There are studies that indicate ADHD and behavior disorders can be significantly controlled by a healthy diet, limiting sugars and processed foods, and the use of vitamin supplements
2007-01-06 00:02:28 · answer #1 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Melatonin is actually a chemical that is released by your brain during sleep to aid the body in staying asleep. It is thought that use of the herbal supplement may alter the natural release of melatonin thus creating an addiction to sleeping aids.
I would suggest consulting a physician before giving the supplement to children. It may have negative affects depending on their current health. It may also cause an unwanted addiction.
2007-01-05 22:49:53 · answer #2 · answered by Magzilla 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no information available regarding the use of melatonin by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
2007-01-06 00:07:59 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Luv my kitties♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've given my teenagers melatonin. The funny thing is that it will help them one night and the next time nothing happens. The fact that he is getting positive results and that the child is more rested and ready to tackle the day, is awesome! I see no harm in giving it to him. If he's on other medications, I would check with your doctor or pharmicist.
2007-01-05 22:38:00 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs.Blessed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your brother-in-law is giving this kind of brain altering drug without a doctors advice then he is guilty of child abuse. Mind altering drugs are not something to play around with by someone who is not medically or psychologically trained (and I don't mean someone who has taken a couple of psych courses or has worked in a hospital as a bedpan jockey.)
2007-01-05 23:00:29 · answer #5 · answered by Donald W 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
i use it it works your brother in law could give the 7 yr old some turkey and a baked potato...works the same way .
2007-01-08 19:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by josh s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm. I used to take it. It shouldn't hurt him at all. My only concern would be that he becomes a bit dependent on that hormone and will not make enough of his own. It's certainly better than Ritalin!
2007-01-05 22:41:49 · answer #7 · answered by Steenskees 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Who knows what kind of side effects it will have on his rapidly developing brain ,down the line...
*sigh*
2007-01-05 22:41:15 · answer #8 · answered by MaryBeth 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋